Master’s Degree
Explore blog posts highlighting Kent State University’s online master’s degree programs, covering fields such as Music Education, Public Administration, Geographic Information Science, and User Experience. Learn about program rankings, faculty insights, and specialized courses designed to help professionals advance their careers. Discover opportunities for growth and expertise in a variety of disciplines.
Related Blog Posts
When many people hear “criminology,” they immediately think of policing. While law enforcement is one important part of the justice system, it’s far from the only—or even the primary—career path for many criminology graduates.
In special education, behavior is rarely random. More often, it is a form of communication — a student’s way of expressing unmet needs, frustration, sensory overload, anxiety, or a lack of skills to navigate a situation. When educators view behavior through this lens, the focus shifts from “How do we stop this?” to “What is this student trying to tell us?”
Pursuing an advanced degree in music is a significant milestone for any educator. Whether you are looking to increase your salary, move into administrative leadership, or simply refine your classroom pedagogy, the right support system is essential. At Kent State Online, our 100% online Master of Music in Music Education (MMME) is designed specifically for busy professionals who need a balance of academic rigor and scheduling flexibility.
Student Spotlight: Bethany Loncher, M.Ed. in Educational Technology
Pairing an online Master of Education in Educational Technology with an online Master of Library & Information Science (M.L.I.S.) in School Library Media K-12 creates a powerful combination for educators who want to design innovative learning environments and lead information-rich educational spaces. This dual pathway prepares you to support teaching and learning both inside and outside of the classroom—equipping you with instructional technology expertise and specialized training for school librarianship.
Technology has transformed what is possible in special education classrooms. For many students with disabilities, technology is not just a convenience — it is a critical means of communication, instruction, and independence. When thoughtfully implemented, assistive and instructional technologies can remove barriers, amplify student voice, and create more inclusive learning environments.
See how one educator’s journey through Kent State’s Online MMME led to leadership success—and how the program supports working music teachers.
Special education is a complex and highly individualized field that serves students across a wide range of ages, abilities, and learning needs. While a master’s degree in special education provides a strong foundation in theory, assessment, instructional strategies, and legal/ethical considerations, many educators choose to further refine their expertise in specific areas of practice. As student needs become more diverse and schools place greater emphasis on inclusive, individualized supports, specialization has become increasingly valuable.
Statistics help turn data into insight—but not all statistics serve the same purpose. In educational research, two major types of statistics are used to understand and interpret data: descriptive and inferential. Knowing the difference—and when to use each—helps researchers, educators, and analysts make informed, evidence-based decisions.
When people think of careers in criminal justice, they often picture sworn law enforcement roles. But many of today’s most influential professionals in the field work behind the scenes—analyzing data, shaping policy, and informing decision-making that affects public safety at every level.
For educators who enjoy experimenting with digital tools, exploring new platforms, and rethinking how learning happens, an online graduate program isn’t a compromise—it’s an advantage. Kent State’s online Master of Education in Educational Technology is designed for professionals who want flexibility, real-time application, and collaborative learning experiences that mirror today’s digital classrooms and workplaces.
What does it really mean to prepare for a career in criminal justice? For students at Kent State, it means learning from faculty who don’t just teach the field—they actively work in it.
Paying for college is one of the most important—and sometimes most overwhelming—parts of the decision-making process. Whether you’re just starting your undergraduate journey or returning for a graduate degree, understanding how to plan for and manage the cost of your education can make a significant difference.
College lingo can be confusing—especially if you’re a first-generation student like I was. Terms like graduate, undergraduate, bachelor’s, associate’s, and CCP get thrown around, and it’s easy to wonder, “Which one comes first?” or “How do I know I’m applying for the right degree?”
Applying to graduate school involves more than submitting transcripts and test scores—it’s your opportunity to tell your story. One of the most important ways to do that is through your goal statement. This document allows you to highlight your experiences, define your goals, and show how you align with your chosen program.
Graduate school is one of the biggest decisions you can make in your life and time consuming from the beginning. As you invest time in applying, it is essential to showcase your skills to the best of your ability while still effectively managing your time in your already busy schedule. To help you with this process, we have created a handy checklist to make it more manageable.
Getting reference letters for graduate school can be intimidating. There’s deciding who to ask, how to ask, giving everyone enough time, and then ensuring you receive a response. Therefore, choosing the right person and providing them with what they need is crucial to securing the best reference possible. After all, what they write can impact whether you attend graduate school or not. So, how can you ensure you get the best reference letters for your application?
Transcripts are a key part of any school application, but students are often unsure about which transcripts they need and how to submit them. We’re here to guide you through the process so you feel confident, informed, and fully prepared when it’s time to send your transcripts to Kent State University.
Selecting a writing sample for graduate school can feel overwhelming, especially when each program may have different expectations. This checklist is designed to help you work through the process step by step—from understanding program requirements to refining your final submission. Use it to ensure your writing sample is clear, relevant, and reflective of your strongest academic and professional abilities.
Writing samples are required for some graduate programs at Kent State University and are an important part of the admissions process. A writing sample allows admissions committees to assess whether your writing skills meet the expectations of the program while also providing insight into your academic interests, perspective, and prior experience in the field. A strong writing sample demonstrates your ability to communicate ideas clearly, think critically, and engage thoughtfully with discipline-specific topics, helping you showcase your academic strengths and readiness for graduate-level study.
As digital learning continues to reshape schools, districts, and organizations, leadership roles in educational technology are among the most dynamic and in-demand career paths for educators with advanced training. An online Master of Education in Educational Technology doesn’t just prepare you to use tech in the classroom — it prepares you to lead others, shape technology strategies, and guide meaningful change across learning environments.
Earning an online Master of Education in Educational Technology opens doors to a wide variety of careers where educators and learning professionals can lead, design, and implement impactful digital learning initiatives. Whether you’re interested in K–12, higher education, corporate learning, or nonprofit roles, the skills developed in an educational technology graduate program are increasingly valuable in today’s tech-rich environments.
Educational Psychology sits at the intersection of research and real-world learning. At Kent State, the online Master of Education in Educational Psychology is intentionally designed to balance theory with hands-on application—so students don’t just learn about how people learn, they learn how to apply those insights in meaningful, professional settings.
Crime and public safety have always evolved alongside society—but the digital age has transformed both crime and investigation at an unprecedented pace. From cybercrime to digital evidence, today’s criminal justice professionals must understand how technology shapes criminal behavior, investigative practices, and legal boundaries.
Public service professionals often face demanding schedules, unpredictable workdays, and responsibilities that extend well beyond a traditional 9-to-5. For many, pursuing a graduate degree isn’t about motivation—it’s about feasibility. That’s where program format matters.
Public service leadership requires more than good intentions. Today’s public and nonprofit leaders must manage budgets, lead teams, evaluate programs, and make strategic decisions in environments shaped by policy, accountability, and public trust. That level of responsibility calls for advanced preparation.
If you’re looking for a career where you can make a meaningful impact, a degree in health is one of the most versatile and rewarding paths you can take. From improving community health outcomes to leading healthcare organizations, today’s health professionals play a critical role in shaping the future of care.
Kent State University continues to be recognized for academic excellence, with multiple programs earning honors in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools Rankings. Several of these nationally ranked programs are available through Kent State Online, offering students the opportunity to earn a respected degree with the flexibility to learn from anywhere.
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, accounting professionals are expected to do more than just crunch numbers. They need to understand data analytics, emerging technologies, business strategy, and how these elements intersect with financial reporting and decision-making. That’s where Kent State’s online Master of Science in Accounting, Business Technology, and Analytics (ABTA) comes in — a graduate degree designed to prepare the next generation of accounting leaders for high-impact roles in public accounting, corporate finance, consulting, and beyond.
Graduate school can be a transformative experience, especially for creative professionals looking to advance in the fashion industry. For many students, the right master’s program becomes a catalyst for long-term career growth and professional clarity. That was the case for Jodi Frontino, a 2024 graduate of Kent State University’s Master of Fashion Industry Studies (MFIS) program.
